Aug 3, 2004

Just Say No

by Liberty and Power

They may be closer to communists than libertarians on some issues, but in the post 9-11 world I do find myself, gulp, agreeing with the ACLU in just about every news story where I see the words"John Ashcroft." Today brings us yet another example of this trend. Seems that the feds have told charities that in order to receive contributions from federal employees through the Combined Federal Campaign they must check all of their employees against government"blacklists" of suspected trouble makers.

Kudos to the ACLU for saying no to this, but more generally, if these people are so dangerous why are the feds concerned they may be working for the Alaska Conservation Fund, the American Bible Society, or the Baptists Children Home Ministry (just to name a few of the groups asked to check their employees against this list). Shouldn't the Justice Department being using, oh, I don't know, due process to arrest these people and protect us instead of harassing them and making charities spend their contributors money searching for suspicious characters? Yeah I can just imagine what a hot bed for terrorists the Camp Fire USA association is. Ashcroft may want to cut straight to the chase and shut those bunch of pyros down now before it's too late.